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Is recognizing speech like riding a bike? Is it a skill that never goes away once you’ve learned it? Or, can adult onset hearing loss negatively impact speech recognition?

Researchers have been asking that question for a long time. Three different studies — in 1984, 1987 and 1999, respectively — resulted in evidence that suggests auditory deprivation does have speech recognition consequences.

All three studies focused on people with bilateral hearing loss, who only wore a hearing aid in one ear. The findings showed signs of reduced speech recognition in unaided ears, suggesting that if we don’t use it, we may indeed lose it.

If you are not hearing as sharp as you used to, contact Pure Sound for a free, no obligation, hearing screening.